ISW News Roundup March 14, 2009

Iraq

Reuters - Iraq president to retire from office next year

Reuters - Unassuming bureaucrat face of Iraq's political shift, by Khalid al-Ansary and Missy Ryan

RFE/RL - Iraq, UN Agree To Help Restore Marsh Areas

Reuters - FACTBOX: Security developments in Iraq, March 14

RFE/RL - Iraq, Iran Agree To Demarcate Border

Long War Journal - Three Iranian Qods Force agents captured in Iraq, by Bill Roggio

Associated Press - Iraqi Shiites rally for populist candidate, by Hamza Hendawi

RFE/RL - Iraq Invites Baathists To Join Political Process

Afghanistan

Reuters - Afghan police say victims of U.S. raid not militants

Associated Press - 5 killed in Afghan operation targeting bomb-maker, by Jason Straziuso

Times Online UK - British soldier killed in Afghanistan

RFE/RL - Millions of Afghans Register To vote In Presidential Election

Reuters - U.N. says security in Afghanistan may worsen in 2009, by Louis Charbonneau

RFE/RL -Afghan Officials Preparing For Militant Incursions From Pakistan

Pakistan

Reuters - Pakistan Taliban say 24 dead in U.S. missile strikes

Long War Journal - Death toll rises in attack on Shadow Army training center in Kurram, by Bill Roggio

Reuters - Pakistan must empower civilians on militancy: group

RFE/RL - U.S. Military Chief: Pakistani Army Takeover Unlikely

Reuters - Pakistan to get $140 mln for sheltering refugees, by Laura MacInnis

Reuters - Hopes for Pakistani compromise fade, protests go on, by Simon Cameron-Moore

Associated Press - Pakistani govt to appeal ruling against opposition, by Stephen Graham

Washington Post - In Pakistani Opposition, a Mix of Motivations, by Pamela Constable

Reuters - Bin Laden accuses Arab leaders of plotting against Muslims

World

Israel

Reuters - Nine nations agree plan to combat arms flow to Gaza, by Adrian Croft

Washington Post - Olmert Faces Choice on Captive Israeli Soldier, by Howard Schneider

Guantanamo

Reuters - U.S. Guantanamo inmates no more "enemy combatants", by Randall Mikkelsen